The Punjab Olympics Association instead of discouraging parallel bodies under its set up is encouraging the formation of similar associations and the recent case is of Punjab Judo Association. According to Associated Press of Pakistan, the Punjab Judo Association has split into three factions, each claiming itself as the genuine body and Punjab Olympic Association giving a free hand to all of them to conduct their elections.
Three weeks ago a group headed by a former Secretary, Pakistan Judo Federation, Naveed Mahmood, who is serving a five years ban, conducted the elections of PJA and got himself (Mahmood) elected as its President.
Few years ago Mahmood was thrown out of PJF through a non confidence move against him for his illegal and unconstitutional acts. Interestingly, few days ago, another group, held the elections of the PJA and Asif Iqbal Khan and Maqsood Ahmed were elected President and Secretary of the body. Punjab Olympic Association deputed Khawar Shah to attend the elections as its observer. “We cannot stop any faction from conducting the elections of the body rather we monitor such elections by sending our representative,” said Idris Haider Khawaja, PbOA. When his attention was drawn that another group of PJA, led by Tariq Sheikh has announced their elections on April 13, he said, they are free to hold the elections and PbOA will also send its representative to monitor these elections as well.
In the given circumstances, it seems that PbOA is promoting parallelism by encouraging the formation of bogus bodies by giving them a free hand to hold their meetings and to elect office bearers.
“PbOA only recognises the body led by Tariq Sheikh because it is affiliated with us and their affiliation will expire this month (end of April) but at the moment it is the only genuine body of judo in Punjab”, he added.
When asked why POAb did not play its due role to stop the formation of these bodies, he said, their job is to encourage the sports and not to take measures to halt the working of the sports bodies.
